4. Chicago Bears phased out Angelo Blackson
This one could have been seen coming from a mile away. Things were not lining up in the right direction for Angelo Blackson entering the season. First, he was signed to play in a 3-4, and now he was moved into a 4-3.
Second, he was supposed to be rotating behind Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols, and now he is starting with Justin Jones. Lastly, he was supposed to have names like Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn beside him.
When Blackson is a depth player, in the right scheme with good names around him, he is a fine contributor. When you take a role player, take him out of his role, away from any talent, and ask him to take on more work, it was going to be an issue.
Blackson slowly but surely lost his job to Armon Watts. Then, the team signed Andrew Brown from another team’s practice squad, and he lost his job to Brown as well. The Chicago Bears played Blackson five snaps in week 15, then made him inactive in week 16. Against the Lions in week 17, they called on him for 35 snaps. He had the flu during week 18, and was inactive. That was an illness called sick of being on this team.
Angelo Blackson will probably look at this as his least favorite year in the NFL, and it was his worst season as well. It is not fun when things do not go your way.